Saudi Tourist Visa Cost for Indians (2026): Package vs Embassy Route

So the cheaper route depends on what kind of trip you were planning anyway. This guide breaks down both routes, plus the eVisa that some Indians qualify for, using prices as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Saudi Arabia publishes these prices in riyals or US dollars only; there is no official rupee figure. For every Saudi visa type, see our Saudi Arabia visa guide for Indians.

What does each Saudi tourist visa route cost an Indian?

Visit Saudi's own equivalents put SAR 395 at about USD 105.32, which places the SAR 402.21 Package Visa just above the visa-on-arrival price. The embassy route's $80 plus two $10.5 fees lands in the same range before you add insurance. On the visa fee alone, neither route is a clear winner.

What does the Package Visa make you buy?

The Package Visa, launched as a pilot on 6 July 2026 by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism, is sold only with a travel package. The rules:

• a confirmed hotel booking rated 4 stars or above and licensed by the Ministry of Tourism;
• a confirmed round-trip flight booking;
• a package minimum of 4,000 per adult for the first two days plus 1,000 for each extra day, as listed on Visit Saudi alongside the riyal visa price;
• a stay of 2 to 88 days, with travel starting at least 48 hours after purchase;
• no more than 9 tourists over 18 and up to 5 children per package;
• purchase from a Ministry of Tourism-accredited agency: Reserval, Almosafer, Webook.com or Almatar.

The visa and travel insurance are emailed when the booking is complete. One catch matters a lot to Indian pilgrims: the Package Visa excludes Makkah and Madinah.

What will you pay on the embassy/Tasheer route?

This route is open to any Indian national. You apply on the KSA Visa platform, and if you do not qualify for the eVisa you go through a Saudi visa service centre run by Tasheer or a Saudi mission in New Delhi or Mumbai. Your costs are:

• the $80 tourism visit visa fee;
• a $10.5 visa digital services fee and a $10.5 insurance digital services fee, both non-refundable;
• the medical insurance premium set by the provider you choose;
• Tasheer's own service charges, which could not be verified in rupees.

In return you choose your own hotel and flights, at any star rating. A single-entry visa is valid for 90 days with a stay of up to 90 days; a multiple-entry visa is valid for 1 year, with stays of up to 90 days. Tasheer centres operate in cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Malappuram, Mumbai, New Delhi and Patna.

Expect to show proof of residence, a return ticket, proof of employment, a bank statement, a flight itinerary, identification and your address in Saudi Arabia.

Which route is cheaper for your trip?

• Umrah or a visit to Makkah and Madinah: the Package Visa does not cover them. The KSA Visa tourism visa lets Muslim visitors perform Umrah and visit both cities, though Hajj is not allowed on it.
• Budget trip with modest hotels: the embassy/Tasheer route avoids the 4-star requirement and the package minimum, so the whole trip can cost less if you choose cheaper stays.
• Short luxury trip: if you would book a 4-star hotel and return flights anyway, the Package Visa adds little and gives you an instant visa with insurance included.
• You hold a used US, UK or Schengen visa: the SAR 339.44 eVisa has the lowest visa price, though insurance is extra. The visa must have been used at least once with a physical entry stamp; digital entry stamps do not count.
• Just changing planes: a free stopover visa comes with a Saudia or Flynas booking.

Do you get your money back if the visa is refused?

The official sources disagree. KSA Visa says fees cannot be refunded after the visa is issued, and that a rejected or cancelled application triggers an automatic refund request processed within 45 to 60 business days. It marks the $80 visa fee as refundable and the two $10.5 digital fees as non-refundable. Visit Saudi's eVisa FAQ says tourist visa fees are non-refundable in any case. Check the terms on screen before you pay. Rejected applicants can reapply at any time.

What mistakes cost Indian travellers money?

• Buying a package from an unlisted seller. Only the four accredited agencies can issue the Package Visa.
• Booking a package for Umrah. Makkah and Madinah are excluded.
• Ignoring passport validity. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry.
• Sending a teenager alone. Applicants under 18 can enter only with a parent, grandparent or adult sibling.

For the embassy/Tasheer route, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters, from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Saudi tourist visa on arrival for Indians?

Not on an Indian passport alone. Visa on arrival (SAR 395, insurance included) is only for Indians holding a valid US, UK or Schengen tourist or business visa used at least once with a physical entry stamp, or a UK, US or EU permanent residence permit.

Does VFS handle Saudi visas in India?

No. VFS Global does not publish a Saudi visa service for India. Saudi visa service centres in India are run by Tasheer, which books appointments, records biometrics, collects fees and returns passports.

How long does a Saudi tourist visa take on KSA Visa?

KSA Visa gives 1 minute to 3 business days, and up to 3 working days after the application and fees are submitted, longer in exceptional cases. The time a Tasheer centre takes to return your passport is not published.

How long is a Saudi Package Visa valid?

The package covers stays of 2 to 88 days, and travel must start at least 48 hours after you buy it. The visa and insurance are issued and emailed once the booking with the accredited agency is complete.